The Most Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods in the Boston Area
Boston is growing faster than ever, and those moving here need to know what neighborhoods they should target as they search for the right real estate. Should you live in East Boston, South End, Back Bay, Dorchester, or somewhere else entirely?
You may actually prefer the Cambridge and Somerville areas. These towns are in the northern part of Greater Boston but include some of the best Boston neighborhoods around. In terms of square feet, they're also some of the most spacious places to rent or buy property.
Let’s break down the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in the Boston area.
Cambridge and Somerville
The combined cities of Cambridge and Somerville are major residential and college spots in the Boston metro area. For example, Cambridge is home to both Harvard and MIT, while Somerville is a little cheaper but still very close to neighborhood hotspots like Davis Square and Tufts University.
Many of the below neighborhoods are technically tucked within either Cambridge or Somerville or both. Cambridge and Somerville combined have public schools, major universities, retail outlets, shopping centers, great restaurants, and both pricey and affordable housing for experienced professionals and young adults alike.
Drawing a distinction between Cambridge and Somerville can be tough. Though they are separate cities with separate governments and infrastructure, they are nearly identical in lifestyle. Areas like Inman Square and Porter Square straddle both Somerville and Cambridge, and it can often be hard to tell which side of the line you’re on! So, for most residential purposes, buyers and renters should consider living in Cambridge and Somerville rather than one or the other.
Access to the MBTA subway and commuter rail is a given. Should you need to commute to downtown Boston or elsewhere, you'll find lots of places to hop on a train or bus. Rail line access to Allston, Beacon Hill, North End, or even Charlestown is possible.
Union Square
If you’re interested in Cambridge + Somerville, you might wish to look for properties in one of the hottest neighborhoods, Union Square. With the new addition of the Bow Market, this formerly tucked-away neighborhood has become one of Somerville’s most popular. Perhaps more importantly, it’s right next to the proposed public transportation Green Line station, making getting around the city in the coming years will be easier than ever.
Union Square has also recently benefited from a massive 15.7-acre project. While still under development, it should lead to several new residential buildings, including 3.5 acres of open or public space. Union Square is home to plenty of restaurants and entertainment venues, so it could be ideal for new Boston residents who want to get a taste of the local nightlife or other attractions.
More on Union Square:
Gilman Station
Maybe you’d like to prioritize instantaneous access to public transportation. In that case, the Gilman Station neighborhood could be right for you. Gilman Station is a to-be-finished light rail station constructed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Somerville.
Eventually, the station will have a single island platform and it is expected to be completed in May 2022. This will allow very easy access to the broader T public transportation network, enabling you to traverse the entire Boston metropolitan area without requiring your own vehicle.
Gilman Station is nestled within the Gilman Square neighborhood, which itself is around Central Hill in Somerville. This classic commercial center offers plenty of restaurants and top-tier shops to peruse, plus new apartment developments. It’s just a 10 minute walk away from Harvard Square, so those who live here have even more options when the time comes to get a bite to eat or attend class.
Because of the fuzzy nature of many neighborhood lines in Boston, Gilman Square is sometimes counted as Winter Hill or vice versa. It’s also very close to Somerville High School, which has increased property prices for single-family homes and condos in the surrounding blocks.
Given its close proximity to the center of Boston and attractions like Boston Common or Red Sox games at Fenway Park, housing will likely remain relatively expensive here for the foreseeable future.
Magoun Square/Winter Hill
Technically a part of Winter Hill, Magoun Square is an intersectional neighborhood focused on Broadway Street and Medford Street. It’s on the border of both Medford and Somerville, so it blends some of the cultural and architectural distinctions of both areas.
As a mixed use urban business district, Magoun Square has both plenty of commercial and retail shops plus residential apartment buildings and condominiums scattered throughout. Visitors or those who live you can check out Trum Field, which is a local park that includes baseball diamond and basketball courts.
The titular Magoun Square is a six-way intersection that includes easy access to two different MBTA bus routes, one leading to Arlington Center and the other leading to Davis Square. It’s a bit further north from the heart of Somerville, so the cost of living is occasionally a little more affordable here, especially if you’re willing to compromise on things like roommates or parking exclusivity.
Ten Hills/Assembly Row
Tucked away in the northeastern section of Somerville, Ten Hills or Assembly Row is very close to a major retail outlet mall at the Assembly Row square. Unlike the name suggests, this area is dominated by one hill rather than 10.
Regardless, Ten Hills is home to a quiet and family-friendly neighborhood with well lit streets, plenty of sidewalks, and walkable grocery stores. This dog-friendly area also offers reasonable access to parking, and is perched on the edge of the Mystic River. Boston Harbor and the seaport district are visible from some homes' windows.
Notably, Ten Hills is also home to the Blessings of the Bay Boathouse, which is owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Here, residents and visitors alike can rent canoes or paddle boats for public use on the above-mentioned river.
South Medford
South Medford is the is the more affordable enclave in Medford overall. It’s the site of the proposed end of the Green Line extension, making public transportation access easier than ever for Medford residents in the coming years
More important, Medford is being targeted as the place to purchase condos for long-term property values. As of 2019, the median condo sales price was over half a million, and single-family homes hit prices of over $620,000.
That said, South Medford could still be a beneficial neighborhood to check out. It’s very close to Somerville and Cambridge, within walking distance of either neighborhood. Therefore, you could potentially purchase a property in South Medford and commute into the city, or have an excellent central location to work from home.
As you can see, newcomers to Boston have a lot of great neighborhood choices depending on their budget, desired access to public transportation, and proximity to local universities. Whether you want to find the perfect property to purchase or rent, Cambridge Sage can help.
We’re experts in the Cambridge real estate market and can help you find the perfect property for your price range. Neighborhoods like Brighton, Allston, and Cambridge are ideal places to put down roots for young professionals and families.
Contact Cambridge Sage today and let us help you make your move to Boston a success!